Odometer.



J. B. RHODES. ODOMETER.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 9, 1 910. 1,047,566, Patented Dec. 17, 1912.

v 2 SHEETS-SHBET 1.

J. B. RHODES.

ODOMETER. APPLICATION FILED NOV. 9, 1910.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

o I FlgcwO I i Wihwmo Patented Dec. 17,1912.

UNITED STATES JAY 1B. RHODES,.OF KALAMAZGG, MICHIGAN.

)DOMETER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

' Patented Dec.17,iiti2.

Application filed November 9, 1910. Serial No. %1A85.

Toall whom it concern." Be itknown that I, JAY BI RHODES, a

ing a station indicator and signal device. Second, to provide in 'anodometer an improved set back. Third, to provide in an odometer having astation indicia or dial, a set back mechanlsm which simultaneouslyactuates the station indicia member or dial. Fourth, to provide animproved odometer having a station indicator which is quickly adjustedor set as the route is traversed.

Fifth, to provide an improved odometer .which issimpl'e and economicalin structure and one which is not likely to get out of repair.

Further objects, and ob ects relating to structural details willdefinitely appear from the detailed description to follow.

I accomplish the objects of my inveiiition. by the devices and meansdescribed in the following specification.

The invention is clearly pointed out in the claims.

A structure, which is a preferred embodiment of my invention, is clearlyillustrated in the accompanying drawing, forming a part of thisspecification, in which- Figure 1 is a plan of a structure embodying thefeatures of my invention, the supporting or attaching bracket for thecasing being omitted. Fig. 2 is a detail vertical section taken on aline corresponding to line 2-2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectiondefined and taken on a line corresponding to line of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 isan enlarged detail section taken on a line corresponding to line H ofFig. 3, showing details of the driving gear. Fig. 5 is a detail sectiontaken on a line corresponding to line 5-5 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the station 'indicia dial or member.

In the drawing, similarnumerals of reference refer to similar partsthroughout the severalviews, and the sectional views are taken lookingin the direction of the little arrows at the ends of the section lines.

Referring to the drawing, the casing consists of the cup-like bodyportion 1, the open end of which is closed by the window 2.

This window is arranged to rest on the end of the body portion l and issecured by means of the ring 3, which has an inwardlyprojecting flangeet. at its upper end adapted to overlap the edge of the window. The ring3 is sleeved upon the body of the casing 1, as clearly appears in Fig.2. The flange 4 is preferably bead-like in form to provide an ornamentalfinish for the upper end of the casing, as well as securing the window.

Within the casing, toward its upper end, is a ring 5, formingashoulder-like ledge for the plate-like mileage indicia member 6 Thismember 6 is formed of metal and arranged to form a partition across thecasing. To assist in supporting the window 2, a ring 7 having anoutturned flange 8 on its upper end 1s arranged on the indiciamember 5,the.

upper face of the flange being flush with the edge of the body 1 ofthecasing, as illustrated. -The casing thus formed is strong and simple andeconomical in structure, and, at the same time, serves its purpose veryeifectively.

Supported within the casing,preferably by means of a bracket 9 mountedon the bottom of the casin (see Fig. 2), is a bearing 10. Arranged inthis bearing is a driven worm gear 11 having a hub-like bearing member12, the under side of the gear being provided with. a bearing surfacecoacting with the upper end of the bearing. An index shaft 13 isarranged through this gear, the shaft beingproi-ided with a collar l t.and the gear with a seat 15 in its upper'end adapted to receive thecollar. On the lower end of the shaft is a nut 16 which clamps the gearand the shaft together and retains them in position in the bearing, thenut being arranged to overlap the under side of the bearing, as shown.

-Rotatably mounted upon the shaft above the gear is a heart-shaped armor cam 17.. (See Figs. 2 and 3). The hub of the mileage index 19 ismounted upon the shaft above this cam. This hub is chambered, asillustrated, its lower end. resting upon the cam. Within the hu 18 is acoiled spring 20, its lower end engaging the hub, and its upper endengaging the nut 21 threaded upon the shaft. The hub and cam areconnected to revolve together, as by the pin 21. The

spring holds the cam in frictional driving engagement with the collar 14on the shaft and the inner end of the gear 11. By the adjustment of thenut 21, the friction is regulated. The hub 18 is arranged through theindicia member or plate 6, the index member 19 being above the plate,which is provided with suitable indicia numerals, as is indicated inFig. 1. In. Fig. 1, the indlcia member is graduated into tenths ofmiles, this being shown, for convenience of illustration, -with indiciafor only five miles thereon;

.By connecting theindex 19 to theshaft, as described, it is driventherewith, and, at the same time, may be readily turned back or {setback to the'zero point. i To accomplish this, I provide a plunger tocoact with the cam '17. This plunger consists of a tubular centralportion 22, having a camen aging-part 23 fixed to its inner end, and ager piece 24 fixed to its outer end. The cam engaging part 23 ispreferably A- shappd at its end. The plunger is supported so t at itreciprocates radially to the shaft 13, 'owing to the shape of the cam'onthe reciprocation of the plunger it is engaged thereby and swung aroundto a zero point no matter what position it may be in when it is engagedby the plunger. The plunger is mounted in a tubular support 25 and isslotted .at 26 to engage the pin 27, which serves as a stop for limitingthe outward movement of the plunger. A spring '28. arranged within thetubular portion of the plunger, returns it to its initial position.

The driving connection for the index gear 11 consists of the worm 29mounted in a suitable bearing bracket 30 in the casing. This worm has agear 31 thereon arranged to mesh with the worm 32 on the driving shaft33. This driving shaft 33 is arranged in a bearing 34, which is arrangedthrough the bottom of the casing and is threaded to receive the clampingnut 35, the nut also serving to support the bearing bracket 30. (See Fi.3 and 4):"

The exible shaft 36 is provided with a coupling member 37 coacting withthe c'ouplug 39 being threaded into the outer'end of the bearing 34 forsecuring the coupling members together. I thus secure a compact andsimple driving connection.

To indicate .stations, or direction points, or to give an alarm at anydesired point, I provide an indicating mechanism and an alarm mechanism,preferably consisting of the pointer 40, which is provided with aspindle 41 arranged longitudinally through tha1. -sl1.aft 13. Thepointer 40 is mounted upon the upper end of this spindle above the shaft13, by an insulating tube 42. On the lower end of this spindle is afriction member 43havin'g a flange 44 at its inner end adapted to coactwith a suitable friction member on the casing. This friction member isarranged, in the structure illustrated, through the bottom of the casingand is of insulating material.

Threaded upon the lower end of the friction member is a finger piece 46.This finger piece 'is chambered to receive the spring 47, the upper endof which bears against a end engages the finger piece. This springapplies suitable friction to the spindle, so that the station pointer.40 is retained in its adjusted position.

The signal preferably comprises a bell 48 electrically connected to thebinding post 49, which, in the structure illustrated, is also a securingbolt for'the bearing bracket 9. On the nut'16 is a switch or contactmember 50. Mounted on the friction member to coact withthis member 50 isa switch or contact member 51. This is connected through the frictionmember 43, and the plate 52 to the binding post 53, which is inelectrical connection with the bell.

In use, the pointer 40is adjusted to any desired position to indicate astation, or

nal be actuated, and as the shaft 13 is reinto engagement withthe-contact member 51, thus causing sounding of the alarm.

An indicia member 54 .is provided, the same being mounted upon the disk55 arranged below the distance indicia plateG. This plate is providedwith a window or opening 56, through which the station indicia may beread as it is successively brought into register therewith,

'To actuate the indicia member'54, 1' provide the same with'a ratchetmember 57 and the plunger with a pawl 58, .the pawl beingheld yieldingly'in position. by the spring 59. Bythis arrangement of parts, when theplunger is actuated to return the station. indicia member issimultaneously ac pling member 38 on the driving shaft 33, a

fixed member on the casing, and the lower.

volvhd, the contact member 50 is. broughtindex19 to its 'zero or initialposition, the

the index 19. This spindle is insulated from other point where it isdesired that the sigtuated, it being advanced one step upon eachindicate that 1.5 miles is the distance to the next station ordirection. When the index finger 19 indicates 1.5 miles, the alarm isgiven. The plunger is then actuated to return the index 19 to zero andadvancethe station ,indicia' member one step. The pointer 40 is thenadjusted according to the directions for station No. 3.

It is found, in practice, tha the use of guide books with continuousmileage odometei s are sometimes unsatisfactory, owing to inaccuraciesin distance as given inv the guide book, or inaccuracies resulting fromvariations in the diametersof the odometer driving wheels, such asis'occasioned by variations in the size of tire, or the same becomingpartially deflated. With my improved odometer, it is started at "thezero point for direction, so that these inaccuracies are not multiplied,and are kept within:

such limits that they are substantially immaterial." By my improvedsetback, the: odometer is instantly, and by a simple thrust movement,set back to zero, and the proper station number displayed: Further, thesignal index or pointer can be quickly adjusted. To do this, it is notnecessary to stop the vehicle, and it can be done so quickly that forpractical purposes it is inst-antaneous.

Iyh avie illustrated and described my im-- provements in the form inwhich I have embodied them. I am aware, however, that considerablevariation in structural details is possible, but I have not attempted toillustrate or describe such variations, as the same will, no doubt, bereadily understood by those skilled in the art to which this inventionrelates.

Having thus described my invention, What I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is: V

- 1. The combination of a bearing; a gear having a hub-like bearingmember thereon arranged in said bearing, the inner side of said gearbeing in bearing engagement with the inner end of said bearing; a shaftarranged through said gear, said shaft being provided with a collar andsaid gear with a seat in its inner end adaptedto receive said collar; a'nut threaded upon the outer end of said shaft whereby said shaft andgear are clamped together and retained in said bearing; a set back meanscomprisinga cam said gear being in the inner end of said bearing; ashaft ararranged on said shaft to rest on the inner end of said gear; anindex having a chambered hub arranged on said shaft to rest on said cam,said hub and cam being connected to be revolved together on' saidshaft;a s rin arranged within said hub; and a nut t rea' ed on said shaft toengage said spring.

2. The combination of a bearing; a gear having a hub-like bearing memberthereon arranged in said bearing, the inner side of said gear being inbearing engagement with the inner end ofsaid bearin a shaft arrangedthrough said gear, 'Sflld shaft being provided with a'collar and saidgear with a seat in its inner-end adapted to receive said collar; a nutthreaded upon-the outer end of said shaft whereby .said shaft andgearare clamped together and retained in said bearing; set back meanscomprising a cam arranged on said shaft; and anindex arranged on saidshaft, said index and cam being connected to be revolved together onsaid shaft and having a frictional driving'connection therewith. 1

3. The combination of a bearing; agear having a hubdike bearing memberthereon arranged in said bearing, the inner side of said gear belng 1nbearlng engagement'wlth.

the inner endof said bearing; a shaft arranged through said gear, saidshaft being provided with a collar and said gear with agxseat in itsinner end adapted ,to receive said collar; a nut threaded upon the outerend 'bf said shaft whereby said shaft and gear are clamped together ,andretained in- ,said bearing; an index having a chambered hub arranged onsaid shaft; a spring arranged Within said hub; and a nut threaded onsaid shaft to engage said spring whereby the tension of said spring is.regulated.

. 4. The combination of a bearing; a geali, having a hub-like bearingmember thereon arranged in said bearing, the inncr side of said gearbeing in bearing engagement with the inner end of said bearing; a shaftarranged through said gear, said shaft being provided with a collar andsaid gear with a seat in its inner end adapted to receive said collar; anut threaded upon the outer end of said shaft whereby said shaft andgear are clamped together and retained. in said bearing; and an indexarranged on said shaft.

5. The combination of a bearing; a gear having a hub-like bearing memberthereon arranged in said bearing, the inner side of bearingengagementwith arranged on said.

shaft; and a spring arranged Within said hub, whereby said index and camare frictionally connected to said shaft to be driven thereby.

6. The combination of a shaft; a set back means comprising a camarranged on said shaft, there being a friction member on said shaftcoacting with said cam; an index having a chambered hub arranged onsaidshaft to rest on said cam, said hub and cam being connected to revolvetogether on said shaft; and a spring arranged Within said hub wherebysaid index and cam are frictionally connected to said shaft to be driventhereby.

'7. The combination of a shaft; a heartshaped cam arranged on saidshaft; an in dex revolubly mounted on said shaft connected to said cam;said cam and index having friction driving connection with said shaft; amileage indicia member; a revolubly mounted second indicia memberarranged on the inner side of said mileage indicia member, said mileageindicia member being provided with an opening with which the secondindicia are adapted to be brought into register as the indicia member isrevolved; a ratchet wheel on said second indicia member; a cam actuatingplunger; and a pawl on said plunger arranged to coact therewith wherebysaid second indicia member is actuated by the actuation of said plunger.

8. The combination of a shaft; an index revolubly mounted on said shaftand having friction driving connection therewith; a mileage indiciamember; a revolubly mounted second indicia member arranged on the innerside of said mileage indicia member, said mileage indicia member beingprovided with an opening with which the second indicia are adapted to bebrought into register as the second indiciamember is revolved; a setback for said index comprising a plunger; a ratchet wheel on said secondindicia member; a'pawl on said plunger arranged to coact therewithwhereby said second indicia member is actuated by the actuation of saidplunger; a pointer; a spindle therefor arranged longitudinally throughsaidshaft; a

signal; a contact member carried by said shaft; and a coacting .contactmember on said pointer s indle.

9. The com ination of a shaft; an index revolubly mounted on said shaftand havlng friction drlvmg connection therewith; a mileage indiciamember; a revolubly mounted'second indicia member arranged on the innerside of said mileage indicia member, sald mileage indicia member beingprovided with .an opening with which the second 1ndicia are adapted tobe'brought into register as the second indicia member is revolved; a setback for said index comprisindicia member; a pawl on said plungerarranged to coact therewith whereby said second indicia member isactuated by said plunger; an indicia pointer; a spindle thereforarranged longitudinally through said shaft; a signal; a contact membercarried by said shaft; and a coacting contact member on said pointerspindle.

11. The combination of a casing; a shaft; an index revolubly mounted onsaid shaft and having friction driving connection therewith; a mileageindicia member; a revolubly mounted second indicia member; a set backmeans for said index comprising a plunger; a ratchet wheel on saidsecond indicia member; and a pawl on said plunger arranged to coacttherewith whereby said second indicia member is act ated by saidplunger.

12. The combination of a casing; an odometer shaft; an index revolublymounted thereon and having friction driving engagementtherewith; aset-back mechanism for said index; route key indicia adapted to beactuated by said set-back mechanism where.- by it is successivelydisplayed; an indicia pointer; a spindle therefor arranged;longitudinally through said shaft; a friction member arranged on thelower end of said spindle to project through said casing; a

chambered finger piece threaded on said friction member; a springarranged in said chamber in said finger piece; a signal member carriedby said shaft; and a coacting signal member on said friction member forsaid spindle.

13. The combination of a casing; an odometer shaft; an index revolublymounted thereon and having friction driving engagement therewith; aset-back mechanism for said index; route key indicia adapted to beactuated by said set-back mechanism whereby it is successivelydisplayed; an in dicia p0inter;'a spindle therefor arrangedlongitudinally tion member arranged on the lower end of said spindle toproject through said casing; a chambered finger piecev threaded on saidfriction member; and a spring arranged in said chamber in said fingerpiece.

, 14. The combination of a casing; an odometer shaft; an index revolublymountthrough said shaft; a fries ed thereon; a set-back mechanism forsaid 15. In an odometer, the combination with a cylindrical cup-likecasing; a ring secured within said casing to form a ledge; adisklikeindicia member arranged on said ledge; a ring arranged on saidindicia member, said ring being provided with an outwardlyprojectingflange at its upper .edge,'the upper surface of which is flush with theupper edge of said casing a window arranged to rest on the upper edgeofsaid casing and said flange; and a retaining ring having an inturnedwindow engaging flange at its up per end sleeved upon said casing.

16. In an odometer, the combination with a cylindrical cup-like casing;a disk-like indicia member supported in said casing; a ring arranged onsaid indicia member,- iaid ring being provided with an outWardly-protheupper jecting flange atgits upper edge, surface of whichis flush withthe upper edge of said casing; a window arranged to rest on the upperedge of said casing and said flange; and. a retaining ring having aninturned window. engaging flange at its upper end sleeved uponsa-idcasing.

17. In an odometer,th.e combination with a casing; a disk like indiciamember supported iwithin said'casing, a ring arranged on saidindiciamember with its upper surface flush with the upperedge of said casing, atransparent member arranged to rest on the upper edge of said casing andsaid ring, and a retaining ring sleeved upon said casing and having aninturned flange at its upper end engaging said transparent member.

18. The combination of'a casing, an odometer shaft, an index mounted onsaid shaft and having frictional driving engagement therewith, a'setback mechanism for said index, a pointer associated with said index andan adjusting spindle for said pointer arranged longitudinally throughsaid shaft provided with a finger piece on its'lower end whereby saidpointer may be manually operated.

19. The combination with an odometer shaft, of a disk-like distanceindicia member, a distance indicia index revolubly mounted on and havingfriction driving engagement with said shaft, and .a disk-like routeindicia. member 'revolubly mounted on the inner side of said distanceindicia a shaped cam,

member, said distance indicia-member being provided with an openingthrough which the route indicia are displayed.

' 20. The combination with an odometer shaft of a distance indiciamember, a driven indicia index, a manually adjustable pointer, a routekey indicia member, a set back, for said driven index, comprising aheartcain, a ratchet for said route key indicia member, and a coact-ingpawl on said plunger. i a y 21. The combination of an odometer shaft,

a plunger coacting with said a driven distance index, a set back meansfor saidindex, an indicia member having a series of route key indiciathereon, connections whereby said indicia member is actuated by said setback means to successively display the route key indicia, an adjustablepointer associated with said index, a signal member arranged to beadjusted with said pointer and a coacting signal member actuated by saidshaft.

22. In an odometer, the combination of an odometer shaft, a drivendistance index, .a set back means for said index, an. indicia memberhaving a series of route key indicia thereon, connections whereby saidindicia member is actuated by said set back means to successivelydisplay said route key indicia, a manually adjustable signal member, anda coacting driven signal member act-uated by said shaft. 7 t

23. An odometer comprising-distance indicating means, a set back meanstherefor, an indicia member having a series of' route key indiciathereon, connections whereby said indicia member is actuated by said setback means to successively display route indicia.

24. The combination of an odometer comprising distance indicating means,a manually adjustable pdinter associated with said. distance indicatingmeans, a. route. key indicia member having route key indicia thereon, aset back means for said distance indicating means and means foractuating said route key indicia member through said set back means forsuccessively displaying the route indicia.

25. An odometer comprising distanoein dicating means, a set back meanstherefor, a series of route key indicia, and means for successivelydisplaying said route key indicia by the operation of said set backmeans.

26. An odometer comprising a distance indicating means, a set backmechanism actuated by the operation of said set back means tosuccessively display the route key i said plunger station indicia, andconnec tions whereby said. station indicia are successiveiy displayed bythe actuation of said plunger.

28. An odometer comprising an index, a set-back mechanism adapted to beactuated oameee by a single thrust movement to return the index to zero,a station indicia member, and connections for said station indiciamember to said set-back means whereby said station i'ndicia member isactuated.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal in. thepresence of iiWO Witnesses.

JAY B, RHQDES [1,. s]

"Witnesses:

LUELLA G. GREENFIELD, MARGARET GLASGOW.

